Chapter 5

Author's Note

Yay! Officially five chapters in.. Well, six, including the author's note. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. The flashbacks are quite long because I have the events distributed evenly between chapters. I want to make the story long, but not too long, and not too short either. Let's continue with chapter five, which I think is one of my favorite scenes in this story so far.

I've had some writer's block the past week, especially with how busy I've been. March was always the month where I have so much stuff to do, but hopefully I'll be able to get back onto track.

Please leave the reviews! I really enjoy reading them- they always make me laugh!

No One's POV

"Hi, Percy." Annabeth said, tapping his shoulder. Percy turned around and gaped a little at how pretty she looked. She wore a knee-length grey dress with a black bow wrapped around the waist and black flats. Her hair floated around her shoulders, curled neatly, and pinned back with a grey flower.

"Uh, you look great!" Percy complemented and Annabeth hummed. "Thank you. Piper made me dress up, she instructed me over Facetime. Now, close your mouth and let's go." she said, turning and leading the way into the gym.

Percy shook his head and ran after her and when they stepped into the gym, it had transformed from the normal boring room to a winter wonderland. Snowflakes hung from the ceiling and fake snow was piled in the corners. Christmas music rang out through the speakers as students danced or chatted by the buffet tables.

"Are you hungry? Maybe we can grab something to eat and meet up with Piper or something." Percy suggested and Annabeth nodded.

"Yeah, sounds good."

The two made their way to the tables and Percy immediately grabbed a few chocolate chip cookies. Annabeth rolled her eyes, but she had a tiny smile on her face, as she poured herself some punch.

"Beth!" Piper squealed as she spotted her friend. She was dragging along Jason Grace behind her. The two girls hugged while Percy and Jason gave each other a fist-bump.

"What's up, man!" Jason greeted and Percy chuckled.

"You look great, Beth!" Piper nodded in approval at Annabeth, as if she had never seen Annabeth in a dress before. She turned to Percy, who was wearing a nice polo shirt and clean jeans. "You clean up nice."

"Thanks.. I think."

"Nah, it was a complement. Now, you two have fun!" Piper sang. "Go dance. Don't just stand around." she poked Annabeth's shoulder before bouncing off again, Jason following behind her with an exasperated expression on his face.

Annabeth and Percy glanced at each other and laughed, something that surprised both of them.

"Is she always like that?"

"Pretty much."

Percy laughed again and the sound lingered in Annabeth's ear. He wasn't so bad, when he wasn't being a jerk. Annabeth was pulled out of her thoughts when Percy grabbed her hand and started pulling her towards the dance floor.

"Let's dance!"

"I don't dance."

"Everybody dances."

"Well, I don't."

"It's easy! Just go like this, like this, and bam-da-boom, you're dancing!" Percy demonstrated and Annabeth huffed.

"It's not that easy."

"How about a slow-dance?" Percy did a little jig and Annabeth laughed.

"No, you're a terrible dancer."

The two bickered back and forth as Percy danced and Annabeth watched him, laughing in between their arguments, and Annabeth found that while she had little in common with Percy, they still made a good pair. She found herself having fun, instead of it being awkward, like Annabeth had expected.

Towards the end of the dance, Annabeth and Percy left the gym, big smiles on both of their faces.

"Oh, there's my ride.. Um, I'll get going now." Annabeth made to leave, but Percy grasped her arm lightly.

"Wait! I.. I had a good time. And I hope you did too.. Because, well, um.." Percy started to stutter and Annabeth snorted in amusement.

"Spit it out, Seaweed Brain."

"Seaweed Brain?" Percy asked incredulously. Annabeth nodded eagerly.

"You like water, right? And I'm assuming you have a brain, even though you don't use it a lot. Seaweed Brain."

"Okay, whatever. Anyways, do you wanna.. I dunno, maybe be my girlfriend since it seems like you don't hate me a ton?" Percy rushed out and Annabeth's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and surprise.

"Me? Really?"

"Yeah! I mean, you're.. You're really nice. And pretty. And smart. And-"

"Percy, you're rambling." Annabeth said softly, the corners of her mouth turned up.

"Is that a yes?"

It was quiet for a moment as she thought it over. Her voice wavered with a slight hesitance that Percy didn't catch. "Sure."

She surprised him by giving him a quick hug before running off, her blonde curls flying behind her. Percy blinked.

He should be jumping with joy, right? He was going to get his money! All he had to do now was break her heart.

But he was unsure what to think of the sudden thumping of his heart or the tingly feeling in his stomach as he watched Annabeth get into her car and disappear.

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Dating Annabeth Chase was an interesting experience. But Percy liked it. A lot.

She was passionate about a lot of stuff, especially architecture. Most of their hanging out together was her eagerly telling Percy all about this building in this country or this city in this state or it was her reading poems and plays aloud while he tried not to fall asleep.

Sometimes they'd go to the park and sit under a tree and she'd watch while he played basketball. Other times they'd stroll through downtown, peering into bookstores and antique shops (Annabeth apparently liked antiques, but it seemed fitting for her personality.) She attended his swim meets and he went with her to her club meetings. It was all simple and easy and enjoyable.

Percy was trying to figure out a way to break her heart. But he had a hard time because.. Maybe he was starting to like her for real, just a little bit.

He liked the way her eyes lit up when she saw something in a store and the way she'd twirl a strand of blonde hair around her finger when she was reading a particularly interesting book. He found it funny when she'd freak out about tests then continue to get perfect scores. He genuinely liked spending time with her.

And that's what worried him.

Even though Annabeth smiled and laughed and had fun with him, he knew that she was still wary of him. She was reserved. She was never the one to initiate any hugs or kisses in public. She had been lightfree at the prom, but it was like warning lights were going off in her brain, he didn't know. He just knew that his feelings were different than hers. He just had no idea what she felt.

Yeah, this bet thing was making him more confused than it should have.

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"Hey, Annabeth."

"What, Percy?"

Annabeth paused in her sketch of a building design to look at Percy, who was sprawled out on the grass next to her.

"Do you like me?"

"What? Of course I do! Why else would I be dating you?"

And there was Percy's confirmation.

She tolerated him. She liked him enough, but not as much as he wanted her to like him.